Illuminated panel



K. C. WELCH ILLUMINATED PANEL Filed Sept. 21, 1953 Nov. 6, 1934.

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Patented Nov. 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED PANEL Kenneth C. Welch, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Grand Rapids Store Equipment Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 21, 1933, Serial No. 690,378

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to illuminated panels and more particularly to display panels especially adapted for use in retail stores for the showing of merchandise offered for sale.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide anpelement of the character above indicated so illuminated as to produce a uniform, diffused and pleasing lighting effect; to provide such a unit in which merchandise may be attractively displayed and brought to the attention of prospective purchasers; and to provide such a structure which adds to the general illumination of the store.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the display panel, here shown as a vertical unit disposed interjacent a pair of spaced cabinets, wardrobes or other merchandising fixtures of the same height;

Figure 2 is a sectional View thereof on line 2--2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in which like parts of the structure are designated by the same numerals in the several views, an elongated vertically disposed panel 1 of any suitable material as for` example wood, fibre composition or sheet metal, is here shown as positioned interjacent a pair of spaced cabinets, wardrobes or other merchandising fixtures 2 for displaying or housing merchandise. The panel is arcuate in shape as best shown` in Figure 3 and its concave surface is preferably treated as by painting or spraying to produce a light reflecting surface.

Illuminating means here shown as a plurality of spaced incandescent light bulbs 3, Whose sockets are wired to a suitable source of electric current, are disposed adjacent the opposite marginal vertical sides of the panel. The intensity of the light emanating from the bulbs and reflected by the concave surface of the display panel may be controlled by properly spacing the sockets and the use of proper sized bulbs.

Means for concealing the source of light comprises a pair of opposite vertically disposed arcuate hoods or shields 4, each semi-circumscribing 50 the series of incandescent bulbs adjacent each Vertical side of said panel.

Dresses 5, suits, hats or other merchandise may be placed in the panel for display purposes or the panel may if desired, be unadorned and used for ornamental purposes and for general illumination. When used for displaying merchandise, it is preferable to space the merchandise displayed substantially equidistant from the concave refleeting surface of the panel since such disposition thereof silhouettes or side-lights the merchandise therein and makes it stand out in bold relief and in a three-dimensional aspect against the soft, diffused and uniformly illuminated background of the panel.

It will thus be seen that the structure herein shown and described provides means for the attractive and effective display of merchandise, adds to the general illumination of the store in which it is used, and that an ornamental structure having a uniform, diffused and pleasing lighting effect is here shown.

While but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted Without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claim.

I claim:

In a merchandise display case, an elongated vertically disposed arcuate display panel having a light reflecting surface on its concave side, a plurality of vertically spaced detachably secured incandescent light bulbs disposed adjacent the opposite marginal vertical sides of the panel whereby the intensity of illumination disposed forwardly of said panel at any height may be selectively controlled, and a pair of opposite vertically disposed elongated arcuate hoods each semi-circumscribing the series of bulbs adjacent each vertical side of said panel for concealing said bulbs from the view of a person standing for- Wardly of the display case.

KENNETH C. WELCH. 

